National/market-wide trainings are second to none. You don't get thrown to the wolves. You are thoroughly oriented to the firm, the line of service and the clients. Upper management, partners in particular, were very accessible.

Cons

Senior level staff aren't always properly prepared/trained for their positions. Many lack the communication skills to clearly instruct and constructively critique their team members. Their inability to express their needs and expectations causes communication breakdown, then frustration, then toxic work environment, resulting in crap work. Everything their saying usually sounded much better in their heads right before they started speaking, but you're still expected to complete work "kinda like this, but maybe not that way....or something" and it be exactly how they pictured it.

The onus has always been placed on the lower level staff to learn the work styles of their supervisors, which is fine. But taking away that same responsibility from upper level staff gives way to lazy leadership.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Get it in ingrained in associates from Day 1 that knowing your "audience" doesn't end on promotion day. Try to refresh current senior staff on the value of being able to TEACH others, not just dole out tasks.

Provides good building blocks for basic business skills. Smart, young, eager staff. Fun comrades. Potential to earn a lot of money at the partner level.

Cons

Hierarchical culture with earning rank through years of service even with experience and fast tracking the selected few. Lots of hours. Business model based on young, inexperienced talent partnered with 1-2 medium experienced talent at the expense of the client through high fees.